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SERAP, AAC Presidential Candidate, Sowore Demand Release Of Lawyer, Inibehe Sentenced Unjustly By Akwa Ibom Chief Judge

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Effiong was jailed one month for challenging the Chief Judge about armed policemen who invaded the court wielding AK-47 rifles and for demanding that she recused herself from the case.

A civic group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, have both condemned the action of the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, who sentenced a human right lawyer, Inbehe Effiong, to jail for appearing in a suit against the state governor, Udom Emmanuel.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Effiong was jailed one month for challenging the Chief Judge about armed policemen who invaded the court wielding AK-47 rifles and for demanding that she recused herself from the case.

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While reacing, the AAC presidential candidate, Sowore, on Twitter, said, “It has come to my attention that a Chief Judge of High Court , Akwa Ibom just summarily sentenced rights lawyer, @InibeheEffiong for month for doing his legal duties defending an individual that allegedly defamed Gov. @MrUdomEmmanuel . This act is despicable #FreeInibehe NOW!
“#FreeInibehe NOW! This particular judge kept harassing @InibeheEffiong before now, he was in Abuja with us yesterday and had expressed concern that Gov @MrUdomEmmanuel might be up to some mischief over a defamation case he was handling against him!” 



Meanwhile, SERAP asked Governor Udom to order the release of the unlawfully detained lawyer.
"Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel must immediately and unconditionally release lawyer Inibehe Effiong who has reportedly been sent to Uyo prison while in court representing his client against the governor.
"We'll see in court if Effiong is not immediately released," the group threatened.



SaharaReporters on June 30 reported that in a motion on notice filed by Ekpenyong’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, he asked Justice Obot to reassign the case to a neutral judge.
He accused the Chief Justice of impunity, bias and violation of the code of conduct.
“AN ORDER of the Honourable Court for this Court (CORAM:HON. JUSTICE EKAETTE FF OBOT) to disqualify and release herself from further hearing and or presiding over the proceedings of this case, that is suit no: HU/279/2019 between DEACON EMMANUEL GABRIEL UDOM VS LEO EKPENYONG, ESQ on grounds of fair hearing, particularly for bias,” the court document read.
“AN ORDER of this Honorable Court reassigning this case, that is suit no: HU/279/2019 between DEACON EMMANUEL GABRIEL UDOM VS LEO EKPENYONG, ESQ to another Judge of the Akwa Ibom State High Court to be heard de novo.”
Justice Obot in 2021 lashed out at the defence lawyer, Effiong who said the court had breached the Nigerian Constitution in its December 15, 2020 judgment against his client, Leo Ekpenyong.
The court on December 15, 2020, ordered the defendant to pay N1.5 billion to the governor as general damages for libel.
Effiong however challenged the judgement and one other involving a former senator, Effiong Bob and successfully persuaded the court to set them aside.
“You don’t stand before me and talk nonsense,” Justice Obot in December 2021 told the human rights lawyer.
“I’ve been on this side of the law for over 30 years and you don’t come and teach me the law from there.”
Effiong who urged the court to give priority to his application for extension of time had cited the Supreme Court’s position on the matter, “Notwithstanding that preliminary objection is on jurisdiction, provided there is an application before the court for extension of time that application must be taken first.”